Kurdistan’s Weekly Brief August 23, 2017

Iran

Clashes broke up between the Kurdish opposition fighters of The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) in outskirts of Shno city. After decades of a ceasefire, the Kurdish party relaunched its armed struggle over the Kurdish rights in Iran last year.

The U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis visited Kurdistan region. Mattis held meetings with Kurdistan region President and the Deputy Prime Minister. In his meetings, he commended the role of the Peshmerga for their contribution in the ISIS war.

After a court in Baghdad decided to take down the flag of Kurdistan in Kirkuk, Najmaldin Karim the Governor of Kirkuk said: “The decision will have no effect in Kirkuk,” The acting head of Kirkuk’s Provincial Council Rebwar Talabani also refused Baghdad’s decision.

Syria

A new military unit has been formedlabeled as the “Rebel Forces.” Based out of Afrin Canton, the unit consists of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen and is for the purpose of countering encroachments by the Turkish government.

During the one year anniversary of the liberation of Manbij, official Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman Talal Silo made a statement to press. He announced that sixty percent of the city of Raqqa had been liberated and they hope to have a similar governing style to Manbij upon liberation. He went on to say that those like the SDF who love martyrdom, are destined for victory.

Turkey

The Turkish government arrested the youngest HDP mayor in Lice. Rezan Zugurli, who won her seat with a reported 91 percent, was manhandled and dragged through the streets according to statements taken by Kurdistan24. Zugurli was taken into custody along with her two-year-old child. The Interior Ministry of Turkey seized administration of Lice and appointed a temporary in the stay of Zugurli.